Aquino hits back at ‘staunchest critic’

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday took a snipe at his “staunchest critic” as he basked in the glory of passing the Philippine Competition Act and a liberalized Cabotage Law.

At the conclusion of his speech following his signing of the laws that seek to promote competition in local markets and industries, the President challenged his critic to prove that members of Congress were not doing their jobs.

“Sige, maghanap ka ng pruweba na hindi talaga naglilingkod ang ating mga kinatawan sa parehong kapulungan,” (Go ahead, look for proof that our representatives from both houses of Congress are not serving the people) Aquino said, shouting out to his “pinakamatinding kritiko.”

Aquino did not name the critic but observers saw him referring to Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has been trading barbs with administration officials over the past weeks.

Binay, who resigned from Aquino’s Cabinet last month, claims that he was being badly treated by administration allies, some of whom have even urged Congress to impeach him as vice president.

In previous speeches and interviews, Binay questioned the government’s actions and plans, irking some administration officials and leading the President to ask why he failed to propose solutions when he was still a Cabinet member.

In his speech, Aquino thanked senators and congressmen for working on the Competition Act and on amendments to the Cabotage Law.

READ: Aquino signs PH Competition Act

President Benigno Aquino III signed on July 21, 2015, a liberalized Cabotage Law which will allow international cargo ships to go to any port in the country to unload or take cargo. Amendments to the law aim to lessen shipping costs. CB/INQUIRER.net

The Competition Act, which languished in Congress for 20 years, bans anti-competitive mergers, acquisitions and agreements, which allow an entity to have a dominant position in an industry. Penalties for violating the law may reach P250 million.

On the other hand, the amendment to the Cabotage law is called “An Act Allowing Foreign Vessels to Transport and Co-load Foreign Cargoes for Domestic Transshipment and For Other Purposes.”

“Sa wakas, maliit man o malaki ang negosyo, ang labanan ay nasa paglalabas ng de-kalidad na produkto sa pinakamakatwirang presyo, imbes na under the table o ang paramihan ng kuneksiyon,” (At last, for small or big business, competition will be in coming out with quality products at the most reasonable prices, instead of using under the table practices or connections) Aquino said.

He said the amendment to the liberalized Cabotage law will allow foreign ships to directly trade with their chosen ports of destination, resulting in lower cost for both businessmen and consumers.